cackle

[ kak-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, cack·led, cack·ling.

1. to utter a shrill, broken sound or cry, as of a hen.
2. to laugh in a shrill, broken manner.
3. to chatter noisily; prattle.

verb (used with object)

, cack·led, cack·ling.

1. to utter with cackles; express by cackling:

   They cackled their disapproval.

noun

1. the act or sound of cackling.
2. chatter; idle talk.

cackle

/ ˈkækəl /

verb

1. intr (esp of a hen) to squawk with shrill notes
2. intr to laugh or chatter raucously
3. tr to utter in a cackling manner

noun

1. the noise or act of cackling
2. noisy chatter
3. cut the cackle informal.
   to stop chattering; be quiet

Derived Forms

• ˈcackler, noun

Other Words From

• cackler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cackle¹

1175–1225; Middle English cakelen; cognate with Dutch kakelen, Low German kakeln, Swedish kackla

Word History and Origins

Origin of cackle¹

C13: probably from Middle Low German kākelen, of imitative origin

Example Sentences

The 27-year-old accomplishes this as a shining beacon of joy who earns a welcome cackle from us every Saturday night.

From Salon

At one point, Ohtani snapped his head back with a high-pitched cackle, giggling with a wide smile planted on his face.

From Los Angeles Times

The Republican Party tweeted, from one of its official accounts, that “Kamala Harris brought her cackle to Milwaukee,” with a short clip of the Democratic nominee for president laughing in the middle of her remarks to an exuberant swing state audience.

From Salon

This week, the X account @RNCResearch, managed by the RNC and the Trump campaign, tweeted a clip of Harris laughing at a campaign event and the words: “Kamala Harris brought her cackle to Milwaukee: ‘Good afternoon, Wisconsin!

From Los Angeles Times

Harris is often mocked for her “cackle”—a word that connotes witches and crone-like women.

From Slate

Related Words

• chortle
• giggle
• laugh